GREENERY was beautiful especially when it wasn't poison ivy 'tricking' Nellie into thinking it was just a cute little baby plant.

While she was distracted by the greenery that may or may not be poison Ivy. Nellie felt hands garb her waist and pull her behind the wall of the old building.

"What the—" she went to fight back against her unknown attacker but they quickly put a hand over her mouth and shushed her.

"Will you shut up before you get us both killed." The man grits quietly. She went to speak but remembered his hand on her mouth.

Nellie had half a mind to lick his hand in spite but she didn't know where it had been. So she decided against it.

A horde passes by them, just being able to see it past the turn of the brick wall and her eyes widen.

The horde slowly trudged away. She shoved him off her and took a few steps away. Final getting to turn around and see her strange assailant.

"I'm Joel." He grumbled, pointing to himself with his gun, as if it was apart of him. A limb. Nellie stared back at him, still a cautious few feet away.

"Nellie." She said softly, a little pant accidentlly leaving her lips in turn. After all he introduced himself, it was the least she could do.

"...Why'd you save me? You coulda— you coulda let me walk right into the horde and use it as a distraction." She figured aloud.

"...not that kinda person," is all he could think to say.

"Well...Joel. I'm glad." Nellie told him, deep breaths and huffs still falling from her pink-paleish lips.

He let out a little chuckle. Looking down with a shake of his head. "I'm glad you didn't elbow my throat when I grabbed ya.' Oh wait? You did." He deadpans, rubbing his throat.

She flushed a bit, in embarrassment. "Well— you grabbed me- outta no where-" she spluttered.

"Yes, y-you rightfully elbowed me," he conceded.

"And listen here!— wait did you just agree with me?" She asked confused as hell.

"I did," he confirmed with a nod. Glancing around, to check for any lingering walkers. She noted the way he looked about. Like he had been through this a couple times.

He must be out here a lot. She notes to herself.

"Where'd you come from?" He wonders.

"....up north. Why?"

"I'm looking for food." He said not disclosing why. The way he hadn't said that he hadn't eaten in a while, made her think it wasn't for him.

"Who's it for?" Nellie asked, after deducing it must've been for someone else.

Joels head snapped back to her. "What?"

"Who's It for?" She repeated.

Joel hesitated before shifting his weight and responding, "my sister."

"Where is she?" She asked, softening a bit.

"Back home." He responded in a grumble. Clearly not going to disclose where 'home' was.

'Least he's smart,' she thinks to herself.

The two continued to tensely converse for a few minutes. Their responses both short and tactical.

The low groans of walkers could suddenly be heard once more. Nellie saw one sneaking up just behind Joel.

"Duck!" She swung her hammer and smashed its head in as Joel ducked, just narrowly avoiding both the deadly jaws and her frightening hammer.

Unfortunately, Joel took a step to the side and ended up tripping on an old cement brick. Causing him to fall over. Twisting his ankle.

She gasped as it occurred, frozen in spot— if she hadn't been then maybe she would've been able to catch him.

"Oh—" is the only sound to accidentlly leave her mouth as he cried out in pain.

She quickly moved to help him but he cautiously scooted back. Holding up his weapon to her when she tried to approach. Pants falling from his parted lips. Sweat on his head from the pain.

"D-don't- for all I know— y-you did that on purpose!" He half heartedly accused.

She lifted a brow. "You tripped?"

"N-no!"

"....but you did."

"I didn't!"

"Listen man, you want my help or not?" She cut him off.

He paused and contemplated the situation. If he said no, he'd be asking her to leave him to the walkers. He couldn't walk on a twisted ankle.

He slowly lowered the weapon a she took it as his silent agreement for assistance.

She headed over and inspected the injury.

"I see... Yep. I see the problem here."

"It's broken?"

"What? Oh no— I'm still not a doctor, that's the problem," She retorted and he shot her an unamused look. To which she gave a weary smile. "Not the time for jokes, sorry. Got it."

"Uh okay, why don't you lift your arm and you can put your pressure on me and I'll hold you up?" She offered and he nodded.

His arm went around her shoulders, using his good leg and her body, they were able to get him up. He let out a hiss as they did but it overall worked out.

He sighed. "I guess you're gonna meet my sister." He said, not looking pleased.

She looks a little surprised though she supposed while it was dangerous, was the only logical decision in his instance as he couldn't walk on his own at the moment.

They walk for a mere two hours till they reach the large parking lot.

"A zoo?" She questioned as she read the zoo's giant welcoming sign.

"Yeah," he sighed, tense from bringing her here.

"Just... don't touch anything," he gently berated and she scowled a little bit.

"I'm the one helping you?"

"And I save your life which is was caused this. If I hadn't then I would've been fin—"

"Alright! You win— I'm sorry," She spoke quickly. He nodded acceptingly.

"That way," he used his free arm to point towards the side entrance meant for employees. She obliged since it was his territory after all, he knew it best.

The two reluctantly trudged along, practically connected at the hip due to his injury.

Though he did this odd little dip to the side as if to avoid fully pressing against her.

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